Ruth Fingleton (Fifst) Email & Phone Number

Clevedon, Gb

Bristol, England, United Kingdom

- Defining departmental strategy and setting team and individual objectives to deliver on strategy- Working with global brands (in the UK, CEE, and Canada) as well as own-label ranges for clients- Promoting a positive team ethos, both cross-functionally and within the department- Continuously reviewing and improving policies and procedures as part of ISO 22:000 certification- Assisting in implementing business changes to achieve B-Corp certification alongside the Head of ESG- Championing innovation and bringing new food-to-go ideas into the business- Line managing NPD and Senior NPD Technologists in the UK and abroad, responsible for the training, development, and succession planning of individuals in the team- Being responsible for reviewing food labelling legislation in countries outside of the UK/EU, applying knowledge to direct the creative development of the artwork and being the technical sign off for the packaging (multilingual NAB and snack categories)- Applying Agile principles by working closely with Product Owners, the Operations team, and Account Managers to ensure customer requirements are met- Promoting the needs of the department within the business, and representing it outside the business- Keeping up to date with global food trends and developments in traditional markets and competitor activity- Scrum Alliance Certified Agile Leader (CAL-1, CAL-E and CAL-O)

- Developing and launching a range of 80 products in 6 months, across various FTG categories as part of the Jamie Oliver-deli by Shell collaboration - Project managing the product development of sandwiches, paninis and other 'food on the move' items from concept to launch for several customers including Shell UK, Dunelm, Debenhams, Thorntons and HMS Host- Generating accurate product costings for Account Manager approval

Evercreech, Somerset, United Kingdom

Project managing the development of chilled desserts for M&S including:- Researching current trends and being commercially aware- Developing recipes and products to meet the brief, ensuring products launch on time and stay within the critical path- Creating ‘WOW’ desserts with commercial and manufacturing viability- Financial costings, comparative shopping, and market awareness- Presentations to the retailer and maintaining a good relationship with them- Working with cross-functional teams to achieve ‘on time’ launches- Keeping the company up to date on nutritional studies and research - Setting up training sessions with suppliers to gain knowledge on ingredients e.g., chocolate, cocoa, stabilisersAchievements/Product launches included: - M&S COU Skinny Milkshake desserts & COU Skinny Muffin desserts driving a 28% growth YOY. COU Skinny Raspberry Frappe, Skinny Latte, Skinny Chocolate Frappe enabling COU sales >£10m for the first time with strong 12.4% growth, after steady decline the previous few years- Christmas: Snowstorm, Festive Trio of Mini Desserts; Summer: Turkish Delight, Percy Pig, Sherbet Lemon, Cola Bottle, Strawberry/Mocha/Caramel Frappes, Triple Pack Shots x 3 (featured on M&S advert May 2010), Under 100kcal Minis- Innovation Management, Lean Product Development courses and ‘Go Influence’ internal workshop completed

Responsibilities/Achievements:- Initial brainstorming and kitchen development, working closely with the marketing team- Running factory trials and supervising 1st production runs both in the UK and in Europe- Sourcing ingredients/costings/obtaining specifications from suppliers- Nutritional calculations and drafting ingredient/labelling information- Sodium reduction in Ryvita Minis, Cherry Goodness Bar & Luxury Goodness Bars launch with a manufacturing partner in the Czech Republic, Wholegrain Crackerbread, Ryvita Thins

Responsibilities/Achievements: - Developing formulations for both sweet & savoury clients- Research projects for Cadbury Schweppes, including several on sugar replacement in confectionery (with polyols and HIS) and in beverages- Development, including pilot plant trials, of a range of ambient organic baby smoothies which were the beginnings of Ella’s Kitchen- Social committee member and Health & Safety representative

Reading, England, United Kingdom

Responsibilities/Achievements: - Research projects for Cadbury Schweppes, including several on sugar replacement in confectionery (with polyols and HIS) and in beverages- Research projects for external clients, e.g., application of novel sweeteners (pre-market)

Bracknell, England, United Kingdom

Responsibilities/Achievements:- Quality control of grocery products- Specification management- Managing consumer complaints- Organising product benchmarking - Projects on the ethical sourcing of cocoa beans and suppliers’ glass policies

2:1 Bsc (Hons), Food Science

Activities and Societies: Treasurer for hall of residence social committee and on the hockey team• 77% (1st class) for final year.

A Levels, Biology (B), Mathematics (B), Social History (C), General Studies (A)

11 Gcses, 2 A*S, 6 As, 3 Bs